P.J. Fleck
FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2019, file photo, Florida State head football coach Mike Norvell speaks during an NCAA college football news conference in Tallahassee, Fla. The NCAA has lifted the recruiting dead period that has been in place since March 13, 2020, due to the pandemic. The NCAA returned to its usual recruiting calendar Tuesday, June 1, 2021, allowing prospects to meet coaches in person and for coaches to conduct live evaluations of recruits. Florida State was welcoming recruits to campus just after midnight as part of its “Midnight Madness” event to mark the end of the dead period.(AP Photo/Phil Sears, File)
End of recruiting pause has football programs catching up

By Steve Megargee Jun. 01, 2021 02:24 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 12, 2020, file photo, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck yells instructions during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb. Fleck and other college coaches across the country communicated with recruits via Zoom and offered virtual campus tours to prospects as pandemic-imposed restrictions prevented face-to-face contact. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)
Virtual recruiting strategies could stay after pandemic ends

By Steve Megargee Feb. 04, 2021 05:20 PM EST

FILE - This Dec. 9, 2017, file photo shows Army's Ahmad Bradshaw holding up the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy after Army defeated Navy in an NCAA college football game in Philadelphia. Army coach Jeff Monken is focused on one thing _ capturing the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy. The Black Knights can take the first step toward winning the coveted hardware, emblematic of supremacy among the three service academies, when Air Force visits Michie Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Army left out in Bowl Day marred by cancellations, opt outs

By Pat Graham Dec. 20, 2020 07:02 PM EST

Minnesota quarterback Zack Annexstad (5) walks off the field with teammates after Wisconsindefeated them in overtime of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
The Latest: Independence Bowl canceled; Army in limbo

By The Associated Press Dec. 20, 2020 11:38 AM EST

Wisconsin players celebrate with the Paul Bunyan Axe after they defeated Minnesota in overtime of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Larsh's FG lifts Wisconsin past Minnesota 20-17 in OT

By Jim Hoehn Dec. 19, 2020 08:46 PM EST

FILE - Duke head coach David Cutcliffe watches his team play against Virginia Tech during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., in this Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, file photo. The personal touch that helps coaches sell their programs to blue-chip prospects is missing from this year’s recruiting cycle. Restrictions brought about by the coronavirus pandemic prevent face-to-face communication between players and coaches. (Nell Redmond/Pool Photo via AP, File)
'It's just weird': Pandemic uncertainty on recruiting trail

By Steve Megargee Dec. 15, 2020 02:39 PM EST

Minnesota linebacker Josh Aune (29) holds the ball and celebrates with defensive back Tyler Nubin (27) after Aune intercepted a Purdue pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 34-31. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota-Wisconsin highlights Big Ten undercard

By The Associated Press Dec. 13, 2020 04:23 PM EST

Border battle between Gophers and Badgers gets new life

Dec. 13, 2020 02:37 PM EST
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The football game between rivals Minnesota and Wisconsin will be played after all, Big Ten officials announced Sunday. ...

Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) throws as pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Gophers, missing 33 players, stun Huskers 24-17 after layoff

By Eric Olson Dec. 12, 2020 03:47 PM EST

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) throws against Purdue during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. Nebraska defeated Purdue 37-27. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Huskers look to stack wins; Gophers play after virus layoff

By Eric Olson Dec. 10, 2020 03:52 PM EST

Minnesota linebacker Josh Aune (29) holds the ball after he intercepted a Purdue pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 34-31. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Virus forces Gophers to cancel game vs. No. 16 Northwestern

By The Associated Press Nov. 30, 2020 01:12 PM EST

Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst watches his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
COVID-19 remains biggest opponent for Big Ten football teams

By Tom Canavan Nov. 26, 2020 01:22 PM EST

Minnesota linebacker Josh Aune (29) holds the ball after he intercepted a Purdue pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 34-31. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Purdue at Minnesota 11/20/2020

Nov. 23, 2020 05:56 PM EST

Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck looks at the scoreboard during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Gophers going through growing pains, as Boilermakers up next

By Dave Campbell Nov. 19, 2020 06:16 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, file photo, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck, right, celebrates with wide receiver Tyler Johnson (6) after Johnson caught a touchdown pass during the second half of an NCAA football game against Northwestern, in Evanston, Ill. Fleck has never lacked for clever ways to connect and motivate his players. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty, File)
Light reading: Fleck regaling Gophers with pregame kid books

By Dave Campbell Nov. 16, 2020 12:25 PM EST

Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim (24) leaps for a touchdown past Michigan defensive back Makari Paige (7) in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota, Maryland look to rebound in Friday night clash

By David Ginsburg Oct. 29, 2020 03:19 PM EDT

Michigan running back Hassan Haskins (25) rushes past tight end Carter Selzer (89) and Thomas Rush (8) for a touchdown in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
No. 18 Michigan tops No. 21 Minnesota 49-24 in Milton debut

By Dave Campbell Oct. 25, 2020 12:46 AM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2019, file photo, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck celebrates a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind. With another Gophers player opting out of the season Monday, coach P.J. Fleck warned more could follow before the Oct. 24 opener. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
No. 18 Michigan faces difficult opener at No. 21 Minnesota

By Dave Campbell Oct. 22, 2020 05:45 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2019, file photo, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields throws a pass against Clemson during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal in Glendale, Ariz. When Fields got together with some of his teammates last Saturday to watch college football on TV, the mood was dark. “Distraught,” Fields said. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
'Grateful' - Players celebrate Big Ten's reversal on season

By Mitch Stacy Sep. 18, 2020 06:19 PM EDT

Minnesota dropping men's track, gymnastics, tennis programs

Sep. 10, 2020 05:52 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota is dropping men’s indoor and outdoor track and field, gymnastics and tennis because of budget concerns brought about by the...